Safety
Exam expectations This topic is regularly tested in the written paper. You are expected to be able to anticipate potential safety hazards in the final product you are designing and making as well as being able to assess the risks to yourself and others during the manufacturing stages.
Safe products Ensuring that products are safe is a number one priority for designers and manufacturers. Lots of things such as making sure products do not have sharp edges or are made from non-toxic materials are simply commonsense. However, manufacturers are guided by numerous laws and regulations.
Legislation the Law The Trade Descriptions Act. (false claims) The Weights and Measures Act. (accurate size, weight, quantity) The Consumer Safety Act. The Consumer Protection Act. (harmful products) The Sale of Goods Act. (Fit for purpose)
Regulations - guidance Trade associations their guidelines are join us follow our rules They provide clear guidance for manufacturers and designers and undertake their own testing. BEAB Approved
British Toy & Hobbies Association Represent the interests of British toy manufacturers. The 138 members are responsible for over 90% of the British market for toys and games. A condition of BTHA trade association membership is that members' toys will meet the statutory safety requirements
Toy safety Make sure toys are suitable for the age of the child. Some children, particularly those under three, are more vulnerable, particularly to choking, and less able to cope with particular toys than older children. It should also be remembered that there will be significant differences in the abilities of those in the same age group and those children with special needs.
Independent testers Independent bodies test many products before they are put on sale Work closely with BSI to develop new tests and highlight potential problems
British Standards Institute BSI devises tests that products or components have to meet. It awards the Kitemark to those products that meet the standards.
Conformité Europeenne Simply means that the product has been approved for sale in the European Union. Meets basic requirements but may not have been tested against specific criteria The letters 'CE' on a product are the manufacturer's claim that the product meets the requirements of all relevant European Directives.
IEC markings The International Electrotechnical Commission is the international standards and conformity assessment body for all fields of electrotechnology. Some symbols found on electrical products include: Suitability for use in bathrooms Suitability for cleaning under running water
Double insulated An electrical appliance which is double insulated does not have an earth wire fitted. The appliance is designed in such a way that the electrical parts can never come into contact with the outer casing of the device. Common double insulated appliances are hair dryers, power tools, radios and cassette players. A wet double insulated appliance is exceptionally dangerous - for this reason, do not operate a mains radio, hairdryer or double insulated appliance in any wet area - especially a bathroom
Workshop safety As a minimum you should: Wear eye protection when using tools and machinery which create dust or sparks Ensure loose hair is tied back and there is no loose clothing when using power tools and machinery.
Behaviour This is the number one safety priority. Mess around in a D&T room and someone could get seriously injured Many tools are dangerous if not used properly. The golden rule is do not touch until you have been taught to use it Never run in D&T areas
Clean and tidy Making sure the workspace is clean and tidy is important for your own safety and that of other students Ensure tools and equipment is always put away properly
Spills Liquid spills are often found in D&T areas, especially in food rooms and around sink areas Always mop them up and try to make the floor as dry as possible Place a warning sign for others if you leave the floor wet Keep an eye open for these signs when cleaners are working in the area
Water Do not assume that the taps in D&T areas, especially workshops, contain drinking water Water in sinks which are used for cleaning often comes from a tank high up in the school and may not be fit for drinking
Fire safety Your main priority is to evacuate the building Ensure that everyone is out and doors are closed Turn power off if you have time FIRE EXIT Make sure that you know the escape routes from every room you work in
Fire safety Make sure you sound the alarm if you discover a fire Make sure you know where the alarm buttons are situated FIRE BREAK GLASS PRESS HERE
Fire extinguishers It is not advisable to try to put out the fire yourself Fire extinguishers can save lives so do not mess about with them and report anyone you see doing so Carbon dioxide can be used on electrical fires Foam cannot be used on electrical fires
Lifting and carrying Don t try to lift heavy objects Always check with a teacher first
Excessive noise Loud noise is not just a nuisance it can cause serious and permanent harm Check whether you need to wear ear defenders
Clean air Both dust and solvents can cause serious health problems Always ensure that dust is extracted from the source Ventilation is essential when using paints and solvents Ask your teacher if masks are available. Usually these are not shared between students!
Solvents Many of the chemicals we use in D&T are both highly flammable as well as being dangerous to breath in If in doubt, check with your teacher
Corrosive chemicals The most common corrosive chemicals in D&T are usually those found in electronics rooms. The acids used for etching PCBs can burn the skin Wear rubber gloves when handling these chemicals and always wash and splashes off the skin immediately with lots of water Of course, eye protection is essential
Adult only areas There is usually machinery in D&T which cannot be used by students Circular saws are found in most schools and it is essential that you do not enter a room when these are in use Never distract a teacher or technician who is using this type of machinery
Welding MIG welding is fairly common in schools and masks are essential for two reasons: Sparks could easily cause permanent eye damage The flash from the welding can cause flash-eye and result in blinding headaches Leather aprons are also essential
Hand washing Washing your hands thoroughly before handling food is essential Many of the chemicals we use in D&T, such as glues and paints, are toxic and you should always wash your hands thoroughly once you have finished
Manufacturing in school It is a common to build safety into the manufacturing in school question of the exam paper. The following slides show some of the ways students often loose marks by not addressing the real dangers.
Hot metalworking Leather aprons and gloves are essential when handling hot metals Face masks are also needed WEAR GLOVES
Laser cutting Not goggles and aprons! Fully enclosed lift the lid and laser switches off Check fume extraction Supervise there is a real fire risk!
CNC routing/milling Not goggles and aprons! Fully enclosed, guard locks whilst in use. Sharp tools care when changing cutters Never blow dust/shaving out of the machine, remove with a vacuum cleaner
Pewter casting Molten metal really hurts! Leather apron Leather gloves Face mask Normal safety precautions when machining and polishing goggles, no loose clothing/hair
Chocolate moulding Wash hands Sterilise moulds and work surfaces Care when heating & pouring chocolate Tie back/cover hair
Die-cutting Sharp blades - handle with care. Keep hands free when using press.
Dye sublimation/transfer printing Keep hands away from heated surfaces. Watch fabric closely to avoid fire risk
Pastry/biscuits Handle with care. Oven gloves needed. Ensure all surfaces which come in contact with food are clean and sterilised
Ceramics Severe burn risk when emptying kiln, adult supervision needed. Toxic dusts/glazes, keep surfaces clean, was hands after use
Injection moulding Handle with care/wear gloves when using hot glue-gun system. Keep knife blade cutting away from you when trimming excess plastic
CNC turning Not goggles and aprons! Fully enclosed, guard locks whilst in use Sharp tools so care needed when placing/removing materials in machine chuck. Swarf risk, care needed when removing to avoid eye contact, metal swarf can be very sharp.
Printing Use solvent based inks in well ventilated area free from naked flame as there is both a fume and a fire risk Wash hands after use toxic materials
Machine embroidery This is an unguarded system. Danger from moving parts, especially needle Keep hands clear when machine is in use Fasten all loose clothing /hair
Craft knives Always use a safety rule and cutting mat Cut towards you Try not to press too hard two light cuts are often better than one heavy cut
Conclusions Whilst there is no end to the safety rules you might need to learn accidents in D&T lessons are rare Anticipating what might go wrong is called Risk Assessment